Hi there, Anaeli,
It is great to see you again here at planDisney, where we love to celebrate all the holidays at Walt Disney World Resort! You are going to have a spectacular time on your vacation and I can’t wait to help you plan.
I have great news for you, Anaeli. Staying at the
Walt Disney World Swan Hotel will perfectly situate you for a star-spangled Fourth of July celebration without entering the theme parks. My best piece of advice is to spend the evening in the EPCOT resort hotel area, where the Swan Hotel is located. This way, when the extra special
Independence Day fireworks at EPCOT begin at 9:00 p.m., you will have an almost front-row seat!
First, I recommend that you book an
Advanced Dining Reservation for dinner at one of the many amazing restaurants available in the EPCOT Resort hotels. If reservations aren’t available, keep checking back, but also know that there are plenty of
Quick Service options in this area, too. There are plenty of dining options to choose from in each of the hotels and along
Disney’s BoardWalk area. Each of these locations is easily walkable from the Swan Hotel so you won’t have to wait for transportation since it tends to be quite busy on July 4.
Now, after dinner, you have two options for viewing the
EPCOT fireworks. You can head toward
Jellyrolls and
Atlantic Dance Hall on one end of Disney’s BoardWalk or go the other direction toward Disney’s Beach Club Resort. If you head toward
Disney’s Beach Club Resort you will come to a bridge that offers a good view. You could also view the fireworks from the bridge between Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin and
Disney’s BoardWalk Inn. From that viewing point, you might even catch some of the Magic Kingdom’s Independence Day extravaganza fireworks in the distance.
Anaeli, be sure to check the activities guide at your hotel because sometimes there are special patriotic activities at your resort. Also, what Fourth of July celebration would be complete without some mouthwatering barbecue? Once your park days begin, check out
Regal Eagle Smokehouse: Craft Drafts & Barbecue, Hosted by Coca-Cola®, in the American Adventure Pavilion in EPCOT. They have, hands down, the best macaroni and cheese ever! Last year, there were
lots of red, white and blue themed food and beverage offerings and I hope we will see those around the theme parks and resorts this year, too. My mouth is watering just thinking about it!
I know you will have a star-spangled vacation, Anaeli. If I can help you with any other questions or offer other tips, please stop back by and let me know.
Wishing you a most magical celebration,
Shannon